An Introduction to Birjand Intercity Caravansary

Caravansaries are among valuable Iranian historical structures, and the building of such structures with different characteristics in villages and cities along the dessert or mountains increased during the Islamic era. The Ghohestan region in East of Iran and South of the Great Khorasan, has remained an unknown region despite its numerous historical monuments. The presence of historical monuments which go back to pre-historic eras, hills and ancient rock paintings show the importance of this region in the course of history. Caravansaries are considered among the historical monuments of Birjand, and were made to maintain and promote business and economy. The long distance between business centers, the intervention of natural effects like desserts, the danger of numerous civil wars, and organized foreign invasions and their constant threat required safe places for caravans and merchants to rest. Caravansaries in Birjand go back to the Qajar and Pahlavi era and have four-arch or two-arch architectural features. Most of them were located alongside the River (Jomhoori Islami Street) or the Bazaar, the most important of which is Ghaisariye which looks similar to Tehran’s old Passages, like the well known Hajebodole passage which has two floors. Ghaisariye was mainly a resort place for merchants, especially Yazdi merchants who were considered among the most active merchants and were spread from Bombay in India to Yazd. Other caravansaries were Mostofi, Mohsenzade, Molla Mohammad Hasan Moudi, Alavi, and Kharazi. This article introduces and investigates the architectural features of caravansaries in Birjand based on the remaining evidence like maps and aerial photographs.